(CNN) - Sen. Marco Rubio takes the starring role in a Romney campaign ad released Thursday, where he argues changes to Medicare for future recipients are necessary, while keeping the current system in place is the "least we can do" for current beneficiaries.

"My mother's 81 and depends on Medicare," the senator from Florida says. "We can save Medicare without changing hers, but only if younger Americans accept that our Medicare will be different than our parents' when we retire in 30 years.

"But after all they did for us, isn't that the least we can do?" he asks.

Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate increased the program's profile on the campaign trail. Ryan's plan would allow future beneficiaries to take credit from the program toward the price of private health coverage, but would not change the benefits of current recipients.

Romney has said his proposal would be similar to Ryan's, but has not made clear particular differences.

Democrats have criticized the proposal for turning the program into a voucher system that increases the cost burden on seniors, while Romney has accused President Barack Obama of cutting funds from Medicare to pay for his health reform law. But instead of cuts, the $716 billion Romney and Republicans cited was cost savings, which Ryan also included in his budget plan.

The Romney campaign did not say where the spot would run nor how much it would cost.

Rubio - a rising star in his party – is from a state that has a significant population of seniors and retirees. Romney held a campaign event and taped a television forum appearance in Florida on Wednesday.

soundoff(32 Responses)

And here comes another Mitt supporter, who has difficulty with the truth, pandering...

September 20, 2012 08:23 am at 8:23 am |

Al-NY,NY

Hey Marco...if your mom is 81, uses Medicare and doesn't pay federal taxes, isn't she "in the bag" for Obama as one of the 47% who are "freeloaders, layabouts, etc"??

September 20, 2012 08:30 am at 8:30 am |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

So many Romney surrogates so little time.
Obama 2012.

September 20, 2012 08:39 am at 8:39 am |

Ancient Texan

I'm a senior and the only hope for Medicare and Social Security is to be reformed into a better version in order to survive. I DO trust Romney/Ryan and Obama is devoted to destroying Medicare and putting everyone into the disaster called Obamacare.

September 20, 2012 08:40 am at 8:40 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

Give me more specifics as to how Romney and Ryan would change it. If I have a set amount of money to go out and get it, that might not be enough to cover the high cost because I would have so many problems (pre-existing conditions) by the time I hit 65 or so (blood pressure problems? colesterol? many more there also). That is something to worry about because Romney plans on repealling Obamacare.

September 20, 2012 08:48 am at 8:48 am |

Anonymous

Does anyone REALLY believe that the Grand Old Party is interested in maintaining TWO entirely seperate Medicare programs, one for the 55+ crowd and one for the under 55 crowd? I don't. As it is, the GOP hates Medicare no matter which program they tout. Republicans will suck you in and kick you out as soon as they have your vote and the "majority" in Congress needed to make these "sweeping" changes. Anyone foolish enough to believe they won't touch Medicare for the over 55 club deserves to lose their medicare. It's awful that GOPers such as Rubio and Ryan are willing to push their own mothers and fathers off the bus to win an election because in the end, GOPer policy will literally kick their parents' generation off the Medicare bus.

September 20, 2012 08:55 am at 8:55 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Rubio, aka the Florida mistake, has been a proponent of vouchers for seniors.